Statement of Purpose Advice

[MrGray1]

Here is my sop, any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Statement of Purpose

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If only I had known the horrors of running a cartel, I may never have entered college. As a natural entrepreneur, I began my first business at the age of 16. By the summer after graduating high school, I was engaged in a quasi-cartel that controlled the secondary market for an online game. Two years later, I experienced a frustrating lesson about the instability of price fixing arrangements due to the asymmetrical nature of output information. This prompted me to begin studying business and later economics.

Over the past several years, my interests have evolved from an exclusive focus on business management into applied microeconomics. This transformation came from two sources: my frustration at the widespread disregard for empirical information in the policy making process, and my recognition of how I could combine my interest in public policy and quantitative research. My exposure to financial accounting provoked one area of curiosity; specifically I am interested in investigating the effects of corporate social reasonability initiatives and enhanced non-financial reporting on the individual behavior of consumers and investors. Another academic interest I have developed is the economic analysis of crime and the American Criminal Justice System. During my first econometrics course, we reviewed a model that investigated the deterrent effect of the death penalty using panel data from the United States. This prompted my curiosity in the topic. Within a week, I had read four published papers on the subject. Next, I began my own novice attempt at compiling a data set to study regional differences in property crime rates. Unfortunately, my project never came to fruition due to a lack of econometric experience, but my zeal continued.

In order to gain further research experience, I chose to work on an applied research project for my Senior Capstone at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (xxx). The project evaluated three specialized probation programs in xxxxxxxxx County, xxxxxxxxx, for the Department of Community Justice. During the project, I had the opportunity to work with xxxxxxxxxx, adjunct faculty at the School of Government and Community Justice Manager for xxxxxxxxxxxx County, analyzing the treatment effects associated with different drug regimens and other interventions. In addition, I facilitated meetings with other students involved in the project and directed much of the quantitative work.

After completing my graduate training, I am planning a career performing cost-benefit analyses along with program performance reviews for the federal government. Throughout my life, I have had a strong interest in public policy, and I believe the field of economics provides a rich source of insight into the major issues in our society. In order to be an effective policy analyst, I recognize the indispensability of an advanced degree. I have gained a lot from my undergraduate studies and my self-employment experience; however, I need more training in advanced economics and statistics, as well as direction in sharpening my analytical and quantitative skills. I also want to devote time to studying research designs and survey techniques used for cost-benefit analyses. In graduate school, I'll have the opportunity to truly understand and appreciate the competing interests surrounding so many complex issues like health care, crime, financial market regulation, and environmental protection.

My academic record warrants two considerations. First, throughout my academic career I have supported myself by self-employment. Beginning at age 16, I turned a long time hobby into an online business. Through this experience, I tempered myself to working long hours and sacrificing short term desires in favor of my long-term goals. Furthermore, when I begin my graduate program, I will be able to devote all of my attention to academics. Second, I suffered the sudden loss of my father in late 2006, which resulted in diminished academic performance and a hiatus from xxx.

I selected the Master of Arts program in Economics at xxxxxx to be the next step in my professional development for a variety of reasons. Primarily, the program has the strong foundation in quantitative methods that I desire. Next, I have substantially gained from the seminar series at xxx and hope to continue my exposure to original research through the department’s seminar series and conferences. Lastly, the ability to supplement my economics training with courses from the School of Public Affairs and Administration compliments my ambitions.

Thank you for your consideration,